The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : KPCC seeks detailed study on viral fever

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Saturday, Jul 14, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

KPCC seeks detailed study on viral fever

Special Correspondent

Government has failed to tackle the situation, says Ramesh Chennithala

UDF panel to discuss issue today
CBI probe into bond, bribe issues sought

Thiruvananthapuram: The political affairs committee of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has demanded a detailed study by national and international agencies on the viral fever that has paralysed several parts of Kerala.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala said several parts of the State was in the grip of the viral fever and its was spreading to all districts. The Government had failed miserably to tackle the situation, he said.

In addition to the viral fever, many households were facing starvation. The Government had announced free rations, but the ration shops did not have adequate stock. Hospitals were running short of medicines, staff and facilities.

The Government had failed to take preventive steps or carry out effective intervention ever since the viral fever was first seen in Alappuzha district a year ago.

There had been no follow-up on the Army intervention, which pointed to the inefficiency of the Health Department. The Government had also failed to announce an alternative health insurance scheme to replace the one introduced by the Oommen Chandy Government.

The UDF High Power Committee on Saturday would discuss the issue and finalise a programme of agitation.

The KPCC also opposed the State Government’s decision to give local bodies the power to interfere in the running of educational institutions. Mr. Chennithala said the Congress suspected that such a move was intended to bring educational institutions within the CPI(M)’s control and “drape it in red.”

Eviction issue

With regard to the Munnar evictions, Mr. Chennithala said the evictions had been launched with much fanfare. But the Government’s ineptitude and factional fight within the CPI(M) had grounded the evictions.

Neither the Opposition nor the court was responsible for the prevailing confusion. It was caused by the conflicting statements of the Chief Minister and the Revenue Minister.

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